Overview
The role is to deliver a comprehensive, professional and customer focused service for the academy, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements (finance, HR, governance professional support, premises, health & safety, data protection). The admin manager will lead and manage the school administration team and oversee the management information systems. The admin manager will provide support on a wide range of HR matters, including employee relations, recruitment, and policy compliance, working closely with school leaders and central teams. You will work in partnership with the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and staff to ensure the continuous improvement of the Academy, with development of whole Academy initiatives determined in consultation with the Headteacher.
Whitcliffe Mount Academy is a large secondary academy in Cleckheaton, within close commuter distance of Huddersfield, Bradford and Leeds. The academy is a proud partner of the SHARE Multi-Academy Trust and part of the Teaching School Hub for Kirklees and Calderdale. We offer a supportive environment with opportunities to collaborate, network and share best practice.
What the school offers its staff
* A supportive and ambitious environment where all students are encouraged to go beyond what they think they can achieve and to enjoy learning.
* A vibrant place to work which equips staff to deliver their best every day, valuing people and supporting personal best.
* A commitment that staff are happy, engaged and well supported at work, with focus on attendance, behaviour, progress and development.
* Excellent training and guidance relevant to individual job roles.
* Great benefits including outstanding CPD, supportive line management, and networking opportunities across the trust.
* Supportive leadership and a healthy work-life balance.
* A high-quality teaching and learning environment with good facilities.
A culture where children are happy, settled and confident, accessing a broad and balanced curriculum which provides a memorable educational experience for pupils and staff.
Further details about the role
We are looking to recruit an Administration Manager who will lead our administration team and ensure the smooth, efficient and professional running of all academy administration functions. This role provides essential support to the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team, working closely with colleagues across the academy and the wider trust to deliver a high‑quality, customer‑focused service.
Key responsibilities & specifications
Team Leadership
* The postholder will directly line manage administration officers and other suitable roles, and delegate activities to the administration team as required.
General Admin
* Manage and lead the academy's administration team including reception and reprographics, overseeing an efficient, effective and friendly service.
* Lead in maintaining an accurate Single Central Record in liaison with the HR & Payroll Officer.
* Ensure all correspondence and communications are produced to the highest standard within appropriate deadlines.
* Be the first point of contact for the Headteacher and SLT, support as required, including receiving visitors and phone calls.
* Provide the central point of contact for the academy, oversee management of academy communications including all electronic systems.
* Attend and minute meetings as requested by the Headteacher/Executive Headteacher or Executive PA to the CEO, with agreed action points followed up within timescales.
* Ensure queries from parents are dealt with promptly and professionally and logged appropriately.
* Support the Executive PA to the CEO and the Central Administration Manager to develop, monitor and maintain MAT administration policies and procedures.
* Prepare pupil exclusion letters for signature by the Headteacher/Executive Headteacher and administer and take minutes at meetings and appeal panels across the trust.
* Administer trips and visits, ensuring compliance including EVC responsibility.
* Book and arrange cover for staff training events with line manager approval.
* Develop and implement high quality customer care standards.
HR Leadership
* Manage recruitment and selection processes including drafting adverts, compiling application packs, placing adverts, liaising with external recruitment agents, handling responses, arranging interview days, references, pre-employment checks, provisional offers and contracts.
* Oversee HR transactional administration throughout the employment cycle.
* Ensure DBS checks for all staff and volunteers in line with guidelines.
* Organise leaver administration and conduct exit interviews.
* Maintain personnel files and ensure GDPR compliance; manage electronic personnel database.
* Produce personnel correspondence including contracts and variations, and offer letters; archive and securely dispose of records as appropriate.
* Coordinate induction for new staff and supply staff, ensuring probation periods and reviews.
* Administer and coordinate staff absence and provide absence reports; manage short-term sickness absence with return to work interviews.
* Work with Nominated Absence Lead to support staff return to work and take notes at formal absence meetings.
* Administer Leave of Absence requests and conduct risk assessments for new and expectant mothers and those with accessibility concerns.
* Ensure staff are aware of updated policies; support investigations and paperwork with Central HR Team.
Finance Admin and Support
* Managing academy budgets and liaising with Central Finance to ensure resources are managed effectively.
* Oversee procurement transactions, petty cash, gifts register, stationery ordering and debt collection; ensure accuracy of financial records.
* Support budget holders in managing department budgets; assist with staffing budgets and staffing authorisation forms.
* Monitor staff training budget; train and support budget holders in using Access for procurement procedures.
Premises Admin and Support
* Administer school site lettings (as required) in accordance with policy; manage events and conduct risk assessments for activities; liaise with site technicians.
* Oversee evacuation plans and coordinate drills and risk assessments; liaise on lifecycle works and building changes with Premises Manager and trust colleagues.
Health and Safety Admin and Support
* Ensure a safe environment for all stakeholders; oversee drills and ensure records are maintained.
* Ensure compliance for community use and minibus operations.
Governance Admin and Support
* Recruit Academy Governors, adhere to safer recruitment guidelines, maintain the single central record with governor information, and attend Governors meetings.
Cover Leadership
* Oversee day-to-day cover, manage cover budgets and supplier relationships; ensure value for money while delivering high service levels.
* Ensure agency vetting complies with policies; maintain supply staff records and provide inductions; lead Academy Cover Supervisors as directed.
Staff wellbeing
* Support SHARE MAT culture, staff wellbeing, disciplinary processes and investigations, and return to work adjustments where needed.
* Coordinate with Headteacher and central HR on occupational health referrals; be a local point of contact for staff.
General
* Communicate strategies and expectations to all staff; evaluate own performance and pursue professional development; communicate effectively with parents/carers.
* Any other duties commensurate with the role as directed by the Central Administration team/Headteacher/Executive Headteacher.
Ethics and Professional Conduct
All staff are expected to uphold high standards of ethical and professional behaviour. You must demonstrate integrity, accountability and leadership in line with the Seven Principles of Public Life: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, Leadership. As a representative of the trust, the post-holder must build respectful professional relationships, show tolerance and respect for others, uphold fundamental British values, and ensure personal beliefs do not influence professional responsibilities. You are expected to act in the best interests of the trust, model ethical behaviour, accept accountability within statutory frameworks, commit to ongoing professional development and contribute to the wider education system, maintain professional curiosity, and follow whistleblowing and safeguarding procedures.
Other Requirements
* Commitment to the Trust’s values and objectives.
* Willingness to travel between Trust sites and work flexibly.
* Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
Closing date: midday on Monday 23 February 2026. Interviews will take place on Friday 27 February 2026.
Commitment to safeguarding
This post requires working in settings with children and young adults. Any offer is subject to Enhanced DBS disclosure. Applicants must provide evidence of identity and qualifications and references; for applicants from schools, a reference from the Headteacher is preferred.
#J-18808-Ljbffr